Traditional PPP supporters need to rethink throwing their weight behind that party again

Nov 02, 2017 Letters

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DEAR EDITOR,

Jagdeo and the PPP have been making a lot of public noise recently over the seeming litany of blunders the Coalition has been making in the press. It is as if they smell blood and are ready to pounce and take control of government once again.
Notwithstanding all of the coalition’s fumblings, Guyanese know well why the PPP was thrown out of office. While the PPP did secure a significant share of votes, much of these votes were derived from racial incitement by Jagdeo and company, and the fear of falling back into the hands of the PNC under the PNCR-led coalition.
The traditional supporters should also know that while they have real concerns, they must understand that PPP and Mr. Jagdeo have nothing good in store for them either.
The following are some of the reasons why they have to cast the PPP aside and start their own party.
1. The PPP administration and Jagdeo systematically ran GUYSUCO into the ground during their last 15 years in office, jeopardizing the welfare of sugar workers and their families. When the PPP left office in 2015, the corporation was virtually bankrupt and continually required government financing to continue its unprofitable operations.
Jadgeo’s personal involvement in the decision to sink US$200 million into the Skeldon operations very probably stands as his greatest folly, and was very probably the final nail in GUYSUCO’s coffin as allegations surfaced that he disregarded advice which would have seen him choosing a more reputable and experienced Indian firm at a much lower cost of US$165 million or thereabouts.
Although the European Union’s declared intention to permanently reduce prices for sugar placed a dent in the prospects for Guyana’s sugar industry and its thousands of workers who also happened to make up a significant support base of the PPP, the operations of GUYSUCO were allowed to run down amid charges of mismanagement across all levels of its operations. Plans to address the corporation’s diversification were dragged out and fruitless up until the PPP’s exit in 2015 when the corporation consistently demanded billions of dollars annually for financial support.
Today the corporation’s closure seems imminent as many workers’ issues remain unresolved.
2. The PPP’s embrace of corruption and pilfering of state funds reached such proportions that it creeped into the major organizations overseeing the operations of the rice sector. Sweet heart deals went through which saw payments to select supporters while many other rice farmers were forced into virtual penury as they were underpaid for their produce. In some instances, payments were delayed to such an extent that rice farmers were placed under severe financial stress and their operations placed in jeopardy
3. The PPP administration over its twenty three years in office consistently demonstrated disdain and disregard for both public and private sector workers, neglecting to consider that many of Guyana’s workers suffered tremendously as a result of the policy reforms which were a result of the economic transformation that was effected to address the failed policies of the PNC during its 28-year run. Even after the first fifteen years in office, the PPP administration consistently handed out annual increases of the order of 5 per cent to public servants. Government’s wages policies heavily influenced that of the private sector so that today, much of Guyana’s workforce get by on depressed wages and in many instances, live below the poverty line.
4. A declared socialist based party, the PPP from its early years in office frustrated investment prospects which could have done much to reduce unemployment levels, raise incomes and potentially raise Guyana’s status internationally.
The fruits of its efforts in this direction were brought to bear as Guyana’s economic growth averaged 0.6 per cent from 1999 when Jagdeo took office to 2004, the year prior to the flood. A memorable instance was that of Case Timbers, where the company’s machinery was left so long uncleared by the GRA that decay set in and the company threatened to withdraw from the country.
5. Recognizing that his policies would generate very little export growth and revenues from the private sector, Jagdeo crafted the LCDS as a means for raising foreign currency internationally. With foreign currency and international support flowing in through this initiative, Jagdeo could thumb his nose at Guyana’s local private sector which never really lent him support in the first instance.
6. Many of the so-called foreign direct investment schemes during the PPP’s terms were in fact dressing to quell claims by the opposition that the PPP government was not doing enough to attract investment, stimulate economic growth and address our crucial unemployment issues. The investment in Linden yielded little or nothing for the town and Guyana. The highly touted Bai Shan lin venture was always riddled with claims of corruption which included undervaluing of exports and massive duty waivers, which in total amounted to a complete rape of Guyana’s resources by this company.
7. Petty corruption on a massive scale became part and parcel of government operations as businesses and private individuals were routinely placed over a barrel to have their imports processed and many other government services provided.
Bribery and corruption became a norm during the course of transactions with government ministries and agencies.
8. The PPP sought to dominate the media by its selective issuances of licenses to its supporters. The local media particularly Channel 6, endured much harassment from the PPP as the station continually embarrassed the government on numerous issues.
9. Finally, the PPP’s penchant for misappropriating taxpayers’ money is very probably unsurpassed and unmatched in the Caribbean region, from the misuse of NIS funds to build the Berbice bridge, which now costs so much as to make travel for some prohibitive, to the Marriott fiasco which needs no further disclosure here.
These are the main issues the supporters of the PPP need to consider before throwing their weight behind the PPP again. Because if the PPP were ever allowed back into office again, it is an almost certainty that they will pick up exactly where they left off and continue to mistreat and abuse Guyanese workers with absolute disregard while pilfering taxpayers’ money through corruption and overpriced contracts.
For the 2020 elections I propose we bundle the PPP and Coalition together into one party to form the PPP/Con, which will represent our past. The party to be formed will represent our future.
Craig Sylvester

 

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